Establishing Foundations: Studying

For many people, reading the Bible is not very enjoyable. They find it hard to understand. The Bible has all of life's answers for us, if we will be willing to read and spend time, and to get to know what is in our Bible. The first step in studying the Bible is to decide to have a time each day set aside to read and reflect on what you have read. Discipline is the key. Make it a daily habit and allow nothing to distract you. Pick a quiet time and place. The best time is early morning. This way it set the course of your day. You will be surprised how the things you read will be put to use during the day. It also allows you time to reflect on the things you have read. Find a Bible that has a good translation, reads easily, and has helps in the back. Most of the time, there is a wealth of knowledge in these areas that are overlooked.

There are many ways to study the Bible. You can study by topic, by book, by chronological order, by character, time or history, word study, etc. The one thing you do not want to do is haphazardly read some here and some there. You may get something out of it (after all, it is the Word of God), but you will overlook vast treasure hidden, maybe on the next page. The Bible is divided into books, chapters, and verses. It was not written this way, but scholars have added these to help in locating and studying. This makes it easier to find special verses again.

The best study tool that you could ever use is the Holy Spirit. He is the great teacher. Pray, listen and then act on where to read and take good notes in a separate journal. This way you can write down the main thoughts and then come back to them. As you do this, the Holy Spirit will reveal more to you and begin to piece the puzzle together. Many don't understand the Bible because they see it in pieces and not as a complete picture. Remember that the main key is to lead a daily disciplined life of studying. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Study means: diligence, earnestness, to exert one's self, striving after.